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MELISA-TEK validated for testing ruminant material in aqua feed by an interlaboratory study

Concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) led to a ban on most processed animal proteins (PAPs) even feed materials. As these rules have shifted toward a more practical approach, non-ruminant PAPs are being allowed for inclusion in aqua feed. In Europe, much of this testing is done by PCR due to its sensitivity, although this sensitivity also can lead to false positive results. Immunological methods, such as ELISA, are also more sensitive then regulations require with at least as high accuracy as PCR. This interlaboratory study published in Food Chemistry investigated the use of our own MELISA-TEK as well as a competitor’s assay (Reveal) for use in PAP testing. The researchers found that both immunological methods were able to accurately detect ruminant material as low as 0.5% with the utmost accuracy. With European regulatory limits set at 2%, this study demonstrates that cost-effective immunological methods are important practical considerations for the determination of ruminant PAPs in aqua feed.